Caraval
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Early copy courtesy of NetGalley (released 31st January
2017)
Welcome
to Caraval, where nothing is quite what it seems.
Scarlett has never left
the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a
once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show.
Caraval is Magic.
Mystery. Adventure. And for Scarlett and her beloved sister Tella it represents
freedom and an escape from their ruthless, abusive father.
When the sisters'
long-awaited invitations to Caraval finally arrive, it seems their dreams have
come true. But no sooner have they arrived than Tella vanishes, kidnapped by
the show's mastermind organiser, Legend.
Scarlett has been told
that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance.
But nonetheless she quickly becomes enmeshed in a dangerous game of love, magic
and heartbreak. And real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over,
and her sister disappears forever.
I was
lucky enough to be sent an extremely early e-copy of one of the most hyped up
book releases of 2017. Let me start off by saying that the hype is well and
truly warranted because this was probably one of my favourite books I’ve read
all year. I’ve never read a book that deceives the reader so much. You feel
almost as lost as the characters in the book and things aren’t revealed to the
reader, until they’re revealed to the character which makes this story so much more exciting. Stephanie Garber
has managed to involve the reader like no other book I’ve read before.
Caraval is written from Scarlett’s
point of view. Scarlett and Tella are sisters but they couldn’t be less alike.
Scarlett’s wish of being invited to Caraval is finally granted and she gets
three passes to join the game. And this is what the reader manages to forget
time and time again throughout this book: “It’s a game!” I found that no matter
what was happening, I believed it and
kept forgetting that the majority of what was happening wasn’t real.
When Scarlett
finds the secret location of Caraval,
she makes a harrowing discovery. Her sister has been kidnapped and if she doesn’t
find her in time, she could die. Scarlett would die for her sister and the
hoops she jumps through to try and get her sister back, certainly shows that.
It’s
very difficult so say much more without ruining any one of the hundreds of plot
twists, lies and deception that takes place in this book, so I will say no
more; except the fact that it will have you on the edge of your seat
throughout, you will not be able to
put it down and you will be questioning everything you’re told.
Your opinion on characters will change so many times throughout the book, as new information comes to light but I found myself loving every single one as they all bought the exact personalities and excitement the book needed.
I cannot
wait for the sequel to come out…which
is quite frustrating as the first one isn’t even out yet but this book
certainly does not disappoint. This is one of the only books I’ve read that I
would love to see as a film. Usually
I’m content with imagining new worlds in my head but bringing this to life on the big screen would just be sensational. When January comes…pick up a copy because this book
is incredible!
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